Article-vending machine

ABSTRACT

Merchandise-vending apparatus of a kind having a plurality of merchandise carriers, each having merchandise containers thereon adjustable in size and wherein the carriers are selectively movable into positions to vend merchandise therefrom. The apparatus includes vending or ejector mechanism individually adjustable for positioning to orient the mechanism with the merchandise containers.

United States Patent lnvenlor Harold D. Baum 6610 North Clark St., Skokie, [IL 60626 Appl No 773,532

Filed Nov. 5, 1968 Patented July 6, 1971 Continuation of application Ser. No. 693,587, Dec. 26, 1967, now Patent No. 3,409,] 10, dated Nov. 5, 1968, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 481,188, Aug. 20, 1965, now Patent No. 3,360,091, dated Dec. 26, 1967.

ARTICLE-VENDING MACHINE 32 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 221/19,

221/79 Int. Cl G071 5/00 Field of Search 221/80,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 919,824 4/1909 Chisolm 221/123 X 2,156,531 5/1939 Geer .194/(Slide Lock) 2,189,740 2/1940 Mills 221/78 X 2,285,435 6/1942 Holcomb, Jr. 221/79 2,373,014 4/1945 Compton et al 221/123 3,146,043 8/1964 Johnson et a1. 221/76 X 1,067,669 7/1913 Miller 221/77 2,942,830 6/1960 Senay 248/201 Primary Examiner-Stanley l-l. Tollberg AnorneyMartin Faier ABSTRACT: Merchandise-vending apparatus of a kind having a plurality of merchandise carriers, each having merchandise containers thereon adjustable in size and wherein the cartiers are selectively movable into positions to vend merchandise therefrom. The apparatus includes vending or ejector mechanism individually adjustable for positioning to orient the mechanism with the merchandise containers.

PATENTEU JUL e um SHEET 3 OF 4 lnvenTo r. fiEWZd J flaw/72 PATENTED JUL SIS?! 3,591 042 ARTICLE-VENDING MACHINE This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 693,587, filed Dec. 26, 1967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,110, dated Nov. 5, 1968, which was a continuation-inpart of my application Ser. No. 481,188, filed Aug. 20, 1965, maturing into U.S. Pat. No. 3,360,091, issued Dec. 26, 1967.

The invention relates to improvements in articlewending machines and is more particularly concerned with a cabinet structure including a plurality of adjustable merchandise carriers, arranged in such a manner as to be selectively positioned with respect to ejector mechanisms to facilitate vending of a selected article of merchandise. The structure includes novel positionally adjustable vending or ejector mechanisms and the merchandise carriers are carried on endless chains so as to be easily and selectively positioned with respect to the ejector mechanisms. The machine also includes the scavenger and coin-control mechanism disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,360,091, issued Dec. 26, 1967.

The embodiment of the invention as hereinafter more specifically described permits mechanical vending in a single machine of a wide variety of merchandise of varying sizes with a single coin-control system, thereby allowing pricing of merchandise in multiple increments, for example in .3 4 increments from 33 to $1.50.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide articlevending apparatus of the character disclosed.

Another object is to provide article-vending apparatus with novelly constructed merchandise carriers.

Another object is to provide novel merchandise carriers having merchandise containers that are adjustable to accommodate articles of different sizes.

Another object is to provide novelly constructed manually actuable merchandise-ejector mechanisms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the character referred to which is not difficult or expensive to manufacture or to service, and which is very efficient in its operation and highly satisfactory in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the article-vending apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the front door in open position.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the apparatus, taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus, taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical detail sectional view of the carriers and drive mechanism, taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing the indexing mechanism. 5

FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of the blockout mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the ejector mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the adjustable mounting for the ejector mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the several like merchandise carriers.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 11-11 ofFlG. 10.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly as disclosed in the FIGS. 1 and 2 assembly, the apparatus is enclosed in an upstanding cabinet 11, having an open front normally closed by a door 12. A window or transparent covering 15 overlies door 12, as to permit view of merchandise in the machine when the door is in closed position. There is also provided in said door a horizontally elongated merchandise discharge opening 17 adjacent its lower edge and a horizontally extending slot 18 thereabove through which operating plungers 19 extend. The door also has openings that register with a coin-retum chute 21, a coin-receiving opening in a coin-rejector mechanism 22, and at a higher elevation, an opening through which a coin return operating lever 23 extends.

A frame structure, consisting of upstanding end walls 24 and 24a and a bridging top wall 24b is mounted firmly within the cabinet 11. It is to be noted, upon reference to FIG. 2, that the two end walls 24 and 2410 are spaced from the related end walls of the cabinet so as to afford space between them for various components of the assembly. As shown, arranged outside the right-hand end wall 24a and the related cabinet end wall is a coin-rejector mechanism 25, and associated components, which constitute no part of the present invention. It is preferred that the coin-rejector mechanism be of a type commercially made available by the National Rejectors, lnc., known as Number 13-03 Series, Mechanical Accumulator. Such mechanism is designed to accept 13, 10 and 25 coins in any sequence or combination and thus is especially suited for use in the herein described apparatus, which is intended to dispense articles of merchandise having values of from 53 to $1.50.

Generally, the rejector mechanism 25, which includes an accumulator, has select paths for coins, which, in. passing therethrough, function to release trip mechanism which operates means that renders one of a series of normally locked ejector mechanisms operable.

MERCHANDISE CARRIERS As noted hereinabove, the vending machine includes a plurality of merchandise carriers 16 each comprised of an elongated bar 16a, preferably an extrusion, having at each end a bail 26 (see FIG. 5), that is engaged over pins 27 which project inwardly from endless chains 28 carried on the inside surface of each inside end wall 24 and 240. As best shown in FIG. 3, the chains 28 are carried on a series of sprockets 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37, and each carries a series of uniformly spaced pins 27. Preferably, the end walls 24 and 24a are offset outwardly, as at 30, to conceal the end mechanism from view from outside the machine. Panel 300 may also be provided to conceal the carriers rearwardly of the forward series of carners.

In use, as described in detail hereafter, the chains 28 are advanced in unison so as to carry a selected merchandise carrier 16 into position for vending an article of merchandise carried thereby. It is necessary to note at this time that when merchandise from any particular one of the merchandise carriers is to be vended, the selected carrier is positioned, as shown in FIG. 3, directly above a related merchandise-ejector mechanism 38. When in this position, the ends of the carrier rest upon a stabilizer plate 40, shown in FIG. 3, extending out from the plane of the end walls 24 and 24a.

Each merchandise carrier 16 includes a plurality of merchandise containers or hoppers defined by longitudinally adjustable depending walls 39. As best shown in FIG. 10, the walls 39 are arranged in pairs, with those of each pair having inwardly turned flanges 41 on their lower ends or edges to support an article of merchandise between them. The walls 39 are adjustable along the bar 16a so that the size of an article carried thereby can be varied. As best shown in FIG. 11, each wall also has a flange 42 on its upper edge which is formed with apertures to receive bolts 43 therethrough. The bolts project upwardly into slots s4 formed in the bar 16a and carry on their upper ends a spring washer 45 that bears against a washer 46 seated in the channel 47 with which said slot 44 communicates. It should be evident that the walls 39 can be moved into different positions of adjustment longitudinally of the bar and will be frictionally retained in place. Each of walls 39 of the containers carries at one edge an upstanding lug 41a that serves to prevent displacement of an article of merchandise therefrom by an ejector mechanism when the carriers are being indexed.

A spring-mounted clip 41b is attached to the upper flange 42 of each end wall 39, as to bear downwardly against flange 41, and this clip urges merchandise suspendedbetween walls 39 toward opposed lower flanges 41, so that the same is in pushoff position relative to the ejector when in vending position.

Irrespective of the spacing between or the size of the ad justable containers on each merchandise carrier 16, there is a merchandise-ejector mechanism 38 vertically aligned therewith. Such alignment is obtained by shifting the merchandise ejectors 38 along their support surface 48, as shown in FIG. 9.

INDEXING MEANS Manually operable means is provided to index the merchandise carriers 16 into vending position. As best shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the stud shafts 49 mounting each sprocket 35 carries firmly thereon a sprocket 51. These sprockets are connected by chains 52 to a respective pair of sprockets 53 mounted firmly on a shaft 54 that is journaled in and extends transversely between the inside end walls 24 and 24a. One end of the shaft 54 carries a pinion 55 that is meshed at all times with a pinion 56 carried on a crankshaft 57. The crankshaft 57 extends to the front of the cabinet and carries on its end a crank arm 58. The pinion ratios and the sprocket ratios are such that each time the crankshaft 57 is rotated, one complete revolution, one of the merchandise carriers is carried into its lowermost or vending position, as shown at Vf in FIG. 3. That is to say, such merchandise carrier is located directly above the ejector mechanisms 38.

The necessary accurate positioning of a merchandise carrier is assured by providing on the shaft 54 an indexing cam 59 (see FIG. 6) and associated arm 61 (see FIG. The arm 61 is connected by a spring 62 to a fixed bracket 63 carried by end wall 24a, so that as the crank arm 58 is rotated through one revolution, the spring is gradually extended and then retracted. The spring 62 thus functions to pull the shaft 54 into a predetermined position of rotation in which position the cam notch 64 on cam 59 is engaged, as shown in FIG. 6, by a roller 65 carried on the end of a spring-controlled lever 66 pivoted at 67. This indexes the mechanism and assures that a merchandise container is properly positioned to admit operation of an ejector mechanism 38.

EJECTOR MECHANISM As best shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 9, a bar or plate 48 bridges the end walls 24 and 24a and mounts a series of ejector mechanisms 38, one provided for each aligned container on a merchandise carrier 16. These mechanisms are alike and their selective operation is controlled by the presence or absence of a coin or coins of proper denomination having been deposited in the coin-rejector mechanism 25.

Each ejector mechanism 38 includes a mounting bracket 68 that is adjustably and firmly secured on the upper surface of the bar 48 having slotted openings 418a therein to receive locating screws 48b. This bracket includes a forwardly extending overhand 69 and it has slidable therealong a plunger mechanism 19 which is located to project through panel slot 18 and which includes an upstanding post 71 that terminates just below the package of merchandise in the related carriercontainer. In the absence of locking means, hereinafter described, the plunger mechanism is free to slide along the bracket when manually pulled by a customer. It can, however, be pulled outwardly only when an empty-lock is released. This lock comprises a pawl 72, shown in FIG. 8, journaled in post 71 and which is loosely connected by pin-and-slot connection 73 to a load trigger 74 pivoted on the upper end of the post. When there is merchandise in the carrier-container, the article of merchandise rests on said load trigger 74 causing the pawl 72 to be elevated (see FIG. 3) so as to pass over a stop lug 72a on the bracket. When no merchandise is present in the carriercontainer, the pawl 72 is in lowered position, see FIG. 8, and will abut said stop lug following short initial sliding movement of the plunger.

The plunger 19 has on its lower edge a forwardly facing shoulder 75 and rearwardly thereof an upwardly offset recess 76. Mounted on the bracket below the plunger is a pivoted lock lever 77 and a lock-release lever 78. The lock lever 77 has a finger that normally lies in the path of shoulder 75, and a spring 79 functions to maintain this position. The lock-release lever 78 has a pin 81 adjacent one end that overlies the upper edge of the lock lever 77. Normally this pin is held out of engagement with said lock lever by reason of a second pin or projection 82 on the other end of said lock-release lever 78 which rides along the bottom edge of the plunger. A spring normally tends to pull the lock-release lever downwardly to carry the pin 81 against the lock lever 77. Such engagement occurs when the plunger is initially pulled outwardly a distance sufficient to allow the projection 82 to enter into recess 76. When this occurs, the lock lever 77 is swung downwardly clear of shoulder 75 permitting the plunger to be pulled outwardly to its maximum distance. Such release is, however, prevented unless the proper denominational value of coins has been deposited in the coin-rejector mechanism. To this end, the lock release lever 78 has a rigid depending tailpiece 83 that coacts with release means 84 controlled by the coin-rejector mechanism. The release means 84, best shown and described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,360,091, is operably connected with the coin-rejector mechanism so that when the proper denomination of coins is placed in the rejector mechanism the release means 88, which comprises an indexed notched disc structure, is rotated into a position to locate the notch therein in position to receive the tailpiece 83 and permit unlocking of the plunger.

PLUNGER BLOCKOUT MECHANISM Because there may be more than one container on a merchandise carrier containingmerchandise of a given value, for example 25, it is necessary to provide means to insure that only one such piece of merchandise be delivered. To this end, there is provided on each plunger 19 a blockout plate 85. When a plunger is withdrawn, this plate passes between adjacent balls 86 of a series of balls contained in a laterally extending tube 87 arranged to bridge all of the plunger mechanisms. The tube is slotted to admit the blockout plate 85 and the balls are of such number as to substantially till the tube, except for slight spacing equal to the thickness of the blockout plate. Thus, when one plate 85 is disposed between adjacent balls 86 during plunger operation, the balls are held so closely together that the blockout plate of a second plunger cannot enter between adjacent balls, and operation of a second plunger is prevented.

.Also, when the carriers 16 are being indexed, the tail portion 66a on the indexing lever 66 will enter between adjacent balls, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, to prevent vending prior to a carrier being properly located above an ejector mechanism.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, as many details of the structure disclosed and described may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

Iclaim:

1. In a vending machine including a plurality of merchandise carriers, a plurality of merchandise containers on each carrier, the merchandise containers each being adjustable to accommodate merchandise of different dimensions, a plurality of merchandise-ejector mechanism, a support for said mechanisms, and said ejector mechanisms being adjustable on the support so as to be positionable one in alignment with each container.

2. The vending machine recited in claim I, in which the carriers are selectively adjustable into positions of cooperation with the ejector mechanisms.

3. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the carriers are mounted on endless chains movable to carry a selected carrier into merchandise-vending position.

4. The vending machine recited in claim 3, inwhich manual means is provided to move said chains.

5. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the ejector mechanisms include a reeiprocable plunger.

6. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the endless chains are arranged in a convolute fashion to provide for a maximum number of carriers.

7. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which indexing means is associated with the carrier-chain assembly.

8. The vending machine recited in claim 7, in which blockout means is associated with the ejector mechanism and with the indexing mechanism.

9. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the merchandise containers comprise walls adjustable on the carriers to define containers of different dimensions.

10. The vending machine recited in claim 9, in which the walls are frictionally held in a position of adjustment.

11. In a vending machine including coin-rejector mechanism common to a plurality of ejector mechanisms for selectively unlocking certain of said ejector mechanism responsive to the deposit of coins of designated value, a plurality of merchandise containers, each merchandise container being arranged in alignment with an ejector mechanism, and means for juxtapositioning a selected merchandise container in vending position adjacent to a selected ejector mechanism.

12. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which a plurality of carriers are provided, and the merchandise containers are selectively positionable on each carrier.

13. The vending machine recited in claim 12, in which each merchandise container comprises walls adjustable on the carriers to define containers of different dimensions.

14. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which a support for the ejector mechanisms is provided, and each ejector mechanism is selectively adjustable on said support.

15. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which vblockout mechanism is provided common to all the ejector mechanisms and for indexing a selected container in juxtaposition to a selected ejector mechanism so as to permit actuation of one unlocked ejector mechanism only when a selected merchandise container is in vending position.

16. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which the juxtapositioning means includes a crank endless chain assembly for driving the containers into vending position.

17. The vending machine recited in claim 16 in which carriers are provided mounted on the chain and a plurality of merchandise containers are arranged on each carrier, so that movement of the chain carries a selected merchandise container into vending position.

18. The vending machine recited in claim 17, in which the carriers and merchandise containers are disposed over the ejector mechanisms.

19. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which each ejector mechanism includes a normally locked load trigger and which is unlocked when a merchandise container having an article therein is disposed in vending position above the ejector mechanism.

20. In a machine for vending merchandise of different predetermined values, a plurality of carriers arranged one above the other, a plurality of merchandise containers spaced along each carrier, a container for merchandise of a given value on one carrier being arranged in vertical alignment with a container for merchandise of like value on another carrier,

the carriers to provide containers of different dimensions.

23. The vending machine recited in claim 20, in which the carriers are mounted on endless chains.

24. The vending machine recited in claim 23, in which the endless chains are arranged in a convolute fashion to accommodate a maximum of carriers.

25. The vending machine recited in claim 23, in which indexing means is associated with-the carrier chain assembly.

26. In a machine for vending articles of different predetermined values including coin-rejector mechanism common to a plurality of normally locked ejector mechanisms for selectively unlocking certain of said ejector mechanisms responsive to the deposit of a coin or coins of designated value, a plurality of containers each for merchandise of designated values, the containers for merchandise of a first value being arranged in alignment with an ejector mechanism conditioned to unlock responsive to the deposit of a coin or coins of the same value, and containers of merchandise of a second value being arranged in alignment with another ejector mechanism conditioned to unlock responsive to the deposit of a coin or coins of said second value.

27. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which a common support for the ejector mechanisms is provided, and each ejector mechanism is selectively adjustable on said support.

28. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which blockout mechanism is provided for indexing a selected container in juxtaposition to a selected ejector mechanism and to permit actuation of one unlocked ejector mechanism only when a selected merchandise container is in vending position.

29. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which each ejector mechanism includes a normally locked load trigger which is unlocked when a merchandise container having an articletherein is disposed in vending position relative to the ejector mechanism.

30. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which each merchandise container is adapted to house a column of merchandise packages and means is provided to cause the lowermost package in said column to bear against empty lock mechanism in an aligned ejector mechanism when in vending position for unlocking same.

31. Adjustable merchandise hoppers for a vending machine comprising an elongated bar, and walls arranged in pairs and depending from said bar, each pair of walls defining a container for merchandise, and in which means is provided on the walls to prevent accidental displacement of merchandise suspended between the walls.

32. The hoppers recited in claim 31, wherein the walls are slidable along said bar and means are provided to secure each wall in a selected position. 

1. In a vending machine including a plurality of merchandise carriers, a plurality of merchandise containers on each carrier, the merchandise containers each being adjustable to accommodate merchandise of different dimensions, a plurality of merchandiseejector mechanism, a support for said mechanisms, and said ejector mechanisms being adjustable on the support so as to be positionable one in alignment with each container.
 2. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the carriers are selectively adjustable into positions of cooperation with the ejector mechanisms.
 3. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the carriers are mounted on endless chains movable to carry a selected carrier into merchandise-vending position.
 4. The vending machine recited in claim 3, in which manual means is provided to move said chains.
 5. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the ejector mechanisms include a reciprocable plunger.
 6. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the endless chains are arranged in a convolute fashion to provide for a maximum number of carriers.
 7. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which indexing means is associated with the carrier-chain assembly.
 8. The vending machine recited in claim 7, in which blockout means is associated with the ejector mechanism and with the indexing mechanism.
 9. The vending machine recited in claim 1, in which the merchandise containers comprise walls adjustable on the carriers to define containers of different dimensions.
 10. The vending machine recited in claim 9, in which the walls are frictionally held in a position of adjustment.
 11. In a vending machine including coin-rejector mechanism common to a plurality of ejector mechanisms for selectively unlocking certain of said ejector mechanism responsive to the deposit of coins of designated value, a plurality of merchandise containers, each merchandise container being arranged in alignment with an ejector mechanism, and means for juxtapositioning a selected merchandise container in vending position adjacent to a selected ejector mechanism.
 12. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which a plurality of carriers are provided, and the merchandise containers are selectively positionable on each carrier.
 13. The vending machine recited in claim 12, in which each merchandise container comprises walls adjustable on the carriers to define containers of different dimensions.
 14. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which a support for the ejector mechanisms is provided, and each ejector mechanism is selectively adjustable on said support.
 15. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which blockout mechanism is provided common to all the ejector mechanisms and for indexing a selected container in juxtaposition to a selected ejector mechanism so as to permit actuation of one unlocked ejector mechanism only when a selected merchandise container is in vending position.
 16. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which the juxtapositioning means includes a crank endless chain assembly for driving the containers into vending position.
 17. The vendinG machine recited in claim 16 in which carriers are provided mounted on the chain and a plurality of merchandise containers are arranged on each carrier, so that movement of the chain carries a selected merchandise container into vending position.
 18. The vending machine recited in claim 17, in which the carriers and merchandise containers are disposed over the ejector mechanisms.
 19. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which each ejector mechanism includes a normally locked load trigger and which is unlocked when a merchandise container having an article therein is disposed in vending position above the ejector mechanism.
 20. In a machine for vending merchandise of different predetermined values, a plurality of carriers arranged one above the other, a plurality of merchandise containers spaced along each carrier, a container for merchandise of a given value on one carrier being arranged in vertical alignment with a container for merchandise of like value on another carrier, means for moving said carrier to place the containers of one carrier in a vending position, and a plurality of merchandise-ejector mechanisms one in vertical alignment with each container on the carrier in vending position.
 21. The vending machine recited in claim 20, in which a common elongated support is provided for the ejector mechanisms, and said ejector mechanisms are adjustable along said support for positioning one in alignment with each container on the carrier in vending position.
 22. The vending machine recited in claim 20, in which the merchandise containers comprise spaced walls adjustable on the carriers to provide containers of different dimensions.
 23. The vending machine recited in claim 20, in which the carriers are mounted on endless chains.
 24. The vending machine recited in claim 23, in which the endless chains are arranged in a convolute fashion to accommodate a maximum of carriers.
 25. The vending machine recited in claim 23, in which indexing means is associated with the carrier chain assembly.
 26. In a machine for vending articles of different predetermined values including coin-rejector mechanism common to a plurality of normally locked ejector mechanisms for selectively unlocking certain of said ejector mechanisms responsive to the deposit of a coin or coins of designated value, a plurality of containers each for merchandise of designated values, the containers for merchandise of a first value being arranged in alignment with an ejector mechanism conditioned to unlock responsive to the deposit of a coin or coins of the same value, and containers of merchandise of a second value being arranged in alignment with another ejector mechanism conditioned to unlock responsive to the deposit of a coin or coins of said second value.
 27. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which a common support for the ejector mechanisms is provided, and each ejector mechanism is selectively adjustable on said support.
 28. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which blockout mechanism is provided for indexing a selected container in juxtaposition to a selected ejector mechanism and to permit actuation of one unlocked ejector mechanism only when a selected merchandise container is in vending position.
 29. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which each ejector mechanism includes a normally locked load trigger which is unlocked when a merchandise container having an article therein is disposed in vending position relative to the ejector mechanism.
 30. The vending machine recited in claim 26, in which each merchandise container is adapted to house a column of merchandise packages and means is provided to cause the lowermost package in said column to bear against ''''empty'''' lock mechanism in an aligned ejector mechanism when in vending position for unlocking same.
 31. Adjustable merchandise hoppers for a vending machine comprising an elongated bar, and walls arranged in pairs and depending from said bar, each pair of walls defining a container for merchandise, and in which means is provided on the walls to prevent accidental displacement of merchandise suspended between the walls.
 32. The hoppers recited in claim 31, wherein the walls are slidable along said bar and means are provided to secure each wall in a selected position. 